“There is excitement surrounding this diverse class,” says Izzo-Brown. “From California, to Texas, to Canada – we’re bringing in student-athletes that are definitely going to bring a competitive edge with them to Morgantown. Each one of them has something that we believe is special and will help us not only continue our success but also push us to the next level.

“You can never replace student-athletes, but the legacy that each of our seniors has left is the winning tradition. These newbies coming in want to embrace that winning tradition, and that’s exciting. They’re determined to maintain the tradition that is in place.”

Michaela-Batya Abam, 5-8, Defender, Houston, Texas

Girls IMG Academy Top 150 (No. 18) … four-star recruit … No. 3-ranked player in the Texas region … No. 6-ranked defender nationally … plays club for Texas Rush under coach Andy Squire … previously played for Albion Hurricane FC … U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team member … U.S. Youth National Team Program (U14, U15, U17) … attended multiple Youth National Team camps … attended Harmony Science Academy Houston High … daughter of David and Natalie Abam … one of four children … birthday is June 12.

Three-year defender for Strikers Fox Valley 96’ Premier under coaches Amy Winslow and Jim Winslow … only girl to play and start for boys Strikers’ squad … 2013 Midwest Regional League champions … advanced to 2012 and 2013 Illinois State Cup quarterfinals … advanced to 2011 Illinois State Cup semifinals … attended Geneva Community High … daughter of Victor LaPorte and Lynda Coxe-LaPorte … one of three children … sister, Jessica, plays soccer for Loras College … birthday is October 25.

Carla Portillo, 5-1, Midfield, Mississauga, Ontario

Invited to several Canadian Under-20 camps and has played alongside current Mountaineers Kadeisha Buchanan, Ashley Lawrence and Amandine Pierre-Louis … member of the 2014 Pre-Regional Exceleration (REX) Program … trained with the National Training Centre Ontario in 2013 … played club soccer for Burlington Bayhawks under coach Neil Schofield … won 2013 Ontario Youth Soccer League (OYSL) Championship and 2013 Ontario Cup with Bayhawks … earned Bronze medal at 2013 Canadian National Championships and Silver medal at 2012 championships with Team Ontario … won 2012 OSYL Championship and Ontario Cup with Bayhawks … also won 2012 Gold medal at Canadian Club National Championships and 2012 Disney Showcase with Bayhawks … Bayhawks named 2012 Burlington Team of the Year … four-year member (2009-12) of Provincial Team Ontario … won the 2010 Canadian National Championships with Team Ontario … finished second at 2010 Canadian Club National Championship with Brams United … attended Port Credit Secondary School … daughter of Carlos Portillo and Herminia Bongog … has one brother … birthday is July 12.

Macy Stalnaker, 5-4, Forward/Midfield, Butler, Pa.

Played four years of club soccer for Northern Steel Soccer … squad won 2013 U.S. Club Soccer Regional (Greensboro) and advanced to U.S. Club National Tournament … also a six-year member of Northern Crew Soccer … received 11 varsity letters at Butler High … four-time Offensive MVP for the Golden Tornadoes … two-time WPIAL AAA all-section … MVP, 2013 WPIAL AAA All-Star Game … three-year recipient of Butler High’s tri-athlete award … also competed for Butler varsity track & field … daughter of William and Melinda Stalnaker … one of four children … birther is October 6.